These are our five favorite activities to do in the Orlando area that don’t cost a lot of money. Some of these Disney World / Universal Studios alternatives are actually free to do and great ways to follow the experiences over things mantra!
First up is kayaking Kelly Rock Springs at the Kings Landing Drop-in. For a small fee, you can drop in your own kayak or paddleboard and float a beautifully preserved crystal clear spring river. The upward current will give you a bit of a workout, but the return float is effortless and a worthy reprieve. Paddle up, then take your photos videos on the way back.
The second place is Apopka Wildlife Drive. This self-guided drive through the nature preserve is free (donations accepted) and takes you up close and personal to gators, birds, turtles, and more. It is an 11 mile drive (10mph speed limit) with lots of pullovers for photographing and sightseeing. One of our favorite. (only open on the weekends)
The third is the Showcase of Citrus. This citrus grove allows you the opportunity to pick your own bag of citrus to take home with you. Lots of varieties of oranges, lemons, and limes to choose from. Harvest season typically runs from November through May, depending on the weather. They do offer monster truck rides for an extra fee, and you can feed the animals they have on the property with the purchase of a feed basket. We just went for the oranges and lemons.
Fourth is Top Golf (2 locations near Orlando) and on Tuesdays, it is half price for the game plays. We obviously don’t order any food there, but you can also make it a dinner out with their full kitchen and bar.
Fifth is Studio Movie Grill. Tuesdays their movies are all $5 per ticket and draft beer is also on sale as well. Studio Movie Grill is a restaurant that serves meals and drinks to your theater seat. Again we can’t eat there either, but the beer is cold!
(Bonus ideas…
You can head on down to Old Town and walk the shops, see the classic cars on cruise night and listen to music.
Disney Springs is also no charge and you can walk the promenade and enjoy street performers.
We recently went to Defy (a trampoline park) which was also very fun! (Not necessarily low cost though)
Saturdays are a great day to head to Winter Garden and visit their farmers market as well. Currently, it is about 3 blocks long.)
Winter Garden Farmers Market Saturdays 8:00am – 1:00pm Tremaine Street